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Commission
On Interreligious Affairs
of Reform Judaism
Rabbi,
What Should We Do About the Mel Gibson Movie?
by
Rabbi Larry Bach
Mel
Gibson’s “Passion” has been a source
of controversy for nearly a year, and has been the
subject of many articles in the general and Jewish
press. Gibson’s stated intent is to make a film
which forces the viewer to confront, in a graphic
way, the pain and suffering of Jesus’ crucifixion.
The press has focused more on the image of the Jews
in his film, highlighting concerns that it will fuel
antisemitism.
So?
What should we do about the film? I suggest the following:
·
Until we have the chance to see the final release
version of the film later this month, we should refrain
from passing judgment. Gibson is showing rough-cut
versions of the film around the country to carefully
selected audiences, but it does little good to criticize
those screenings as they include material that might
well not make it into the final version.
·
When the film is released, and we go to see it, we
should remember that a Jew and Christian sitting next
to each other in the theater are, in essence, watching
two different films. The Jew cringes at every negative
portrayal of “the Jews” or the “Jewish
leaders;” he is also disturbed by the picture
of a first-century Jew being beaten and bloodied on
a Roman crucifix. The Christian watches God incarnate
beaten and bloodied on a Roman crucifix, in fulfillment
of the Christian understanding of Scripture; everything
else is secondary. Our discussions must recognize
the reality of the “two films.”
·
If the final release version includes the most egregious
antisemitic portrayals (which were part of an early
version of the script shared by the producers with
a group of Catholic and Jewish scholars), we must
respond appropriately. We must point out that these
portrayals are not true to the spirit of the Gospels
as a whole, nor are they in keeping with Gibson’s
goal of making a film that reflects the “true”
version of the events. Our response should represent
the very best of our own tradition by being a learning
response. Do we understand the way in which the Gospels
came into being in the decades after Jesus’ death?
Do we know something about the agenda of each of their
authors? Can we describe the dynamics of first-century
Jewish life that led to the birth of Christianity?
If not...zil g’mor! Go and learn!
·
As we respond, we should do so in concert with our
natural allies: the many Christians in the mainstream
Protestant denominations and in the Catholic Church
who are struggling to create vibrant, liberal expressions
of their faith in the face of a rising tide of traditionalism
and fundamentalism. Scott Colglazier, senior minister
of University Christian Church in Fort Worth, has
written about the difference between “answer”
churches and “journey” churches. Gibson
will be a hero to the answer churches, who want a
neatly-packaged and well-defined set of beliefs. We
can ally ourselves with the journey churches, whose
pastors and parishioners want to wrestle with their
tradition and grow in faith by challenging simple
orthodoxies. Through our involvement with the Westside
Interfaith Alliance, and our ongoing study with Fr.
John Stowe, these allies are no strangers to us.
It
is my hope and prayer that we are able to turn this
crisis into an opportunity for learning and sharing,
and for deepening our relationships with our neighbors.
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